Holiday work

yes, as predicted i have been working during the holidays. i have put it off for a while but had to start to get some work done before we all start the new working year on Monday. the thing i've noticed with the cases are that the police do not seem to investigate as throughly as you might think and do not seem to understand the stress, anxiety and most of all the humiliation that a police action can have on an individual. the cases that i'm working on range from police searches to detention without charge for more serious but on the information unfounded reasons had the investigations been done propertly right from the start.

what i don't understand is that if the police are given all these powers to arrest, detain, examine and prosecute why there does not seem to be any consideration for the way the powers are being used?

complaints are being made to the DPS and the IPCC everyday i bet but this does not seem to be making a difference. is the police complaint being taken seriously or is the DPS just doing the old admin trick, replying then filing and moving on to the next? that's how i feel with some of the complaints that are being made. there does not seem to be a change in the way that policing is being conducted. the pace codes are being breached, the breaches being pointed out but still the same misconducts are being committed by other officers. why???? what is the point of a police complaint when it will not change the way that officers apply the codes?

questions that i think i need to ask. if the complaint procedure is just a way to appease people when their human rights have been infringed it's not working as when no action or change is seen by the public they will soon catch on and they will demand why no lessons have been learnt by the numerous complaints made.

and a sad thing especially after the 10 year anniversary of the death of stephen lawrence, that disproportionate amount of police action is still against black members of the public and excessive force is used against them in most cases that i'm working on.

have things changed in the way the police do their jobs? are lessons being learnt from all the complaints being made against the police? There needs to be a recognition by the police that they represent the law and need to be following the law and their codes to the letter otherwise faith in the police will deminish and i wouldn't want that to happen, but it is happening and the police aren't doing anything about. they are just ignoring it as if it's not a big deal. which is a bit arrogant as well. which is the main feeling that may of my clients feel towards the way the poilce behave.

anyway enough with the moan.

i better get back to my holiday work and see what other complaints there are against the police.

Work, work and more work

For the last i don't know how may weeks now i have been work non-stop to the point that if i don't work 7 days a week i feel as if i'm missing something in that day. Yes, even today i will be working and tomorrow as well. Deadlines are deadlines and when there is no one else that can help it's just you and the deadline. Hopefully the work will level off next year so i get the weekends to take a break. But anyway, 3 more work days and then holiday, although i will be taking files home on the 23rd.

Day 1 of Super-Inquest

It's not every day that you're involved in a case which has such importance and significance to the society, that hopefully the outcome of the inquest will save lives and change the landscape of how construction is carried out from now on. well i am part of that as a legal representative for one of the family memebers who lost loved ones in the Lakanal fire and hopefully through our legal representation make a contribute to those changes.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/14/lakanal-flats-fire-report-harman


Peter Walker

• guardian.co.uk, Monday 14 December 2009 14.49 GMT
• Article history

Lakanal House, the scene of the fatal blaze in Camberwell. Photograph: Carl Court/PA

Harriet Harman today told police and fire investigators to "get a move on" after it emerged a report into the causes of a south London tower block blaze in which six people died would not be completed for at least six months.

Lawyers representing relatives of those killed in the fire at Lakanal House, in Camberwell, voiced anger and said it was "unfair" that they should have to wait so long to find out what happened.

On the first day of the so-called "super inquest" into the July tragedy – which will take a wider than usual remit and is headed by a retired high court judge – the Metropolitan police said they were still carrying out forensic tests which would not be completed until mid-June.

The six victims, three of them children, were killed when fire spread rapidly through the 14-storey block, which was designed in the late 1950s.

Investigators are particularly looking to discover what caused the blaze to move so fast between several floors, trapping people in their flats.

Fire safety experts believe years of botched renovation work could have compromised the safety of the block, meaning criminal charges against the landlord, Southwark council, are possible.

Blocks such as Lakanal are built according to a principle known as compartmentalisation, in which each flat is supposed to be fire resistant for at least 60 minutes.

However, it is thought renovations over the decades jeopardised this.

Today's session, led by Sir Thayne Forbes, was a preliminary hearing to determine timetables. No date for the start of the full inquest has been set.

Harman, the leader of the Commons and the MP for Camberwell, said she had been told informally this might not be until 2011.

"It's not good enough. They need to get a move on," she said. "I think they need to account for what they are doing. They need to explain why they are taking so long."

The delay is also a cause of concern for residents of similar buildings – notably those in a block adjoining Lakanal – who still do not know why the fire spread so fast.

"It's a day-to-day concern for the people living there, who saw the bodies being taken out, who have to go to bed every night worried about their safety and that of their children," Harman said.

Louise Christian, a solicitor representing Rafael Cerves, whose wife, son and stepdaughter died in the blaze: "We don't even know when the inquest will begin. I think the coroner could have pressed the police for a proper timescale at the very least. It's very unfair on the families."

Experts in tower block fire safety are concerned that the problems at Lakanal are replicated in hundreds of other high-rise buildings around the UK,

"It's very important that we see at least some interim reports from the investigation," said Sam Webb, a retired architect who led the UK's first-ever national survey of tower block fire safety.

"This isn't only an issue for Southwark – it's something for landlords around the whole country."

Helen Udoaka, 34, her three-week-old daughter, Michelle, Dayana Francisquini, 26, and her children Filipe, three, and four-year-old Thais, and 31-year-old Catherine Hickman died in the blaze.

Hickman's father, Pip, described how his daughter, a fashion designer, died after being advised by a fire brigade officer to stay in her flat and wait for help.

Her body was found a few feet from her front door, with her keys in her hands. The next-door family, who ignored the advice and left the building, survived.

client v police

you might think that it's easy for me to take sides but it's not especially when the truth is not being told. that's the position i was put in today and i'll be more careful in the future.

i apologise to the officer who i know was helping in his own way even though i didn't agree with his tactic. scaring the public is never the way and maybe a different approach would have worked. i don't know, but i do know that she knew what he were talking about which i wasn't impressed with, cause she should have filled me in before i made the call.

and in response to the officer no i won't be writing to the commissioner about policing.

First Month

On Monday it will be my first month in my new job as an Action Against the Police Solicitor and i have to say that i'm enjoying every moment of it. It's not just the fact that i'm instructed to complain and take action against the police who in my opinion have gone power mad, it's also that i get a chance to mix my knowledge of civil law with a new area of law which is so interesting and real. something i have wanted to do for a long time, 'real law' that makes a difference and is rewarding rather than just billing, billing and billing which is boring and a total waste of time. however although i think the police have gone power mad and are demonising themselves that doesn't mean that i pre-judge the police when i receive an enquiry about potential actions. I actually have to defend them when i hear that they are enforcing the law correctly and have to advise that there is no action against the police which doesn't go down very well with some members of the public. they just seem to think because they were not charged or no further action was taken against them that they have an automatic right to take an action against the police. what they don't seem to appreciate is that if the police don't enforce the law then we would be living in a human jungle and you wouldn't be able to complain about anyone then.

Anyways, even though for the last 3 weeks i have taken work home and spent parts of my weekend reading the codes i'm definitely looking forward to the next month and seeing what it brings.

Off now to finish of another appeal to the IPCC.

My niche!

I finally found my niche! and it's Actions aganist the Police!

Although i've only been at my new firm for a week i can see myself working in this area of law for a long, long time. As well as being a specialism it's also an interesting and challenging area of law where you can make a real difference in someone's life and hopefully contribute to changes in the way the police behave towards the public.

New legal year, new legal future.

The ugly head of activism

You may all think that if someone wants to raise awareness of a cause that is moderate and is mainstream to the public that people will support the message. That's not always the case. This week, after 3 months of organising the Stop the Spread of Guantanamitis Demo, i was taken aback by the reaction of someone who is ment to be helping those who have no one to help and support them in their time of need, but instead put themselves before the message that they say they want to give. I had no idea that egos and celebivism existed in activism but believe me they do and it's really ugly cause it makes you feel a bit sick that they care more about themselves than the people that need help.

To me the message is the most important thing not the person giving the message. I understand that in some cases you have to commercialise yourself to promote your work, your business or your craft, but that can not happen when your being an activist.

The activism comes first not you!!!

Activist Lawyer

It is hard to be an activist. Although the idea is there, sometimes the support is not. But that can not slow you down. I was recently at a Cageprisoner event, this organisation helps those still held in detention and also spreads the word about detention centres that we might not know about. there work is invaluable and i was so glad that i went and heard Moazzam and the others speak. it was this the event that i met Rosie Much who is herself an inspirational women in her ideas and thinking. she named be an activist lawyers after she heard what i was trying to organise.

http://www.facebook.com/share.php?appid=2344061033&src=box&tid=145380906132&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andyworthington.co.uk%2F#/event.php?eid=145380906132

Have some great speakers, just need the supporters now.

The time that counts

Yes, it's been nearly a full year at Shoosmiths and i can't say that i would want to re-live that experience, but sometimes it's the time that counts and i have done the time, that's for sure. but sometimes to the detriment to my physical health, but i guess every goes though a rough patch in their lives. hopefully mine is now over and i can finally focus of the things that i really want to do. Amnesty, UCL , Not Just Legal Pages and not to forget learning Arabic.

roll on the next 7 days.

The Next Chapter

It has finally happened. The Next Chapter in my life and the beginning of what i have wanted to do for such a long time. Patience is a virtue, now i understand. Nearly 3 years' qualified, worked for a national firm and now the chance to follow my dreams.

No progression, no future, no point

A time comes when you have to decide is there any point in working at a firm where there is no where to go but sideways. Well, that is the question on my mind at the moment and doesn't seem to go away. No progression = no future to me anyway. I know that a lot of people don't mind coasting all their life, but that is truely a sad life and one that i can't live.

So what do i do? recession is here, fewer opportunities and more competitive than ever. do i stay or do i go? It's not as if i haven't tired, i applied for an interal vacancy a couple of weeks ago and was told that i wouldn't even get an interview for it, even though i spent hours writing up a statement on all the experience i have that was relevant for the job. i had more than enough experience for the poistion but if seems as if it's not what you know, but who you know that counts.

strange place, very strange place.

Not Just Legal Pages

http://beta.notjustlegalpages.com/

Coming very soon!

This is the beta page of my new socio-legal online magazine.

It will make legal topics more accessible to the general public and highlight issues that affect minority groups and those whose rights have been oppressed around the world.

Not just in a name

This might just be a coincidence but the article by Alex Spence http://timesonline.typepad.com/law/2009/06/why-are-lawyers-so-hated.html is a theme that I as a lawyer have recently felt towards others that work in a law firm. Bending the rules for the sake of getting billed on a case is due to the lack of professionalism you have when you have not been trained or qualifed. When they bend the rules there are no consequences for them but asking me to do it is totally different. so take a hike! cause i'm not going to do it, you can theathen me all you want!

The reaction to 'why lawyers are hated?' is not surprising to me at all. I know why the public hate lawyers, i hate most myself. Lack of care, lack of concern and ultimately lack of providing a service to clients.

I hope i'm one of the exceptions, from what my client's tell me i feel that i am. One of my clients recently said to me that before i took his case over he had a low perception of lawyers but that with my advise and support he felt happy and reassured and called me 'his rock' and told me how he get back to work and got on with his life. That is the best compliment i have ever had and probably will ever have from a client and that's the reason why i became a solicitor in the first place to provide a professional service to clients.

I don't bend the rules, i'm not motivated by billing the file regardless to the situation of the case and i genuinely care about my client and they know that and have trust in me. there are good lawyers out there but as a reader has mentioned in her comment, it's a neddle in a haystack to find them.

So the answer that Alex is looking for is that when you call yourself a professional you better act like one, it's not just in the name.

The glitch!

It's only a glitch. That's what one of the members of SAHCA (Solicitors' Associaton of Higher Court Advocates) said to me yesterday at the annual summer party held at Clifford Chance. Although not a fully fledged member yet, my plan is to become a solicitor-advocate in the near future.... just need to complete the advocacy stage and then i'm off.

And it was a glitch, today everything turned out alright and a guess the message was also sent that there needs to be compromise on both sides. well i got what i needed to continue my work and although i do not feel a bit restricted it's not the end of the world. a lot of people don't care about clients the way that i do and that was evident today. if you're going to mention providing "excellent client service" which in my opinion is going over and above what is required of you then how can you also say in the same breath that "it's jusy too bad for the client". you can't it's either /or.

well that's now behind me and i feel better that the situation has been resolved amicable and i can look forward to work next week which i really wasn't before. smiling again. :)

Nomination for Ethnic Minority Seat at Law Society

This is my nomination for the Law Society's Ethnic Minority Council Seat. I thought that I should try and make a difference cause truth-be-told, not much has been done for the last 4 years. The ballot papers will be sent out and if i get enough votes then i'll do something to address the obstacles that many ethinic minority solicitors face. there needs to be a new and fresh voice and i feel i am that voice.

http://www.onlinebld.com/ViewNewsPage.aspx?NewsId=85

Follow your own advice

Yes, for once I have to follow my own advice and stick to my decision. It is so easy to say, but to do is another thing. I know that it will now take longer for what i really want to do, but when there are no jobs or oppportunities out there to take I have to sit tight and strech myself for another year.

Ah, the recession it ruins everyones plans. But at least i'm saving more money now and that's another reason i need to keep going. keep going, gotta keep telling myself to keep going. story of my life, but i'm nearly 3 years pqe. To those of you who are not lawyers this is a major step in a solicitor's career. It allows a solicitor to finally be their own boss or partner up with other lawyers, even non-legal professionals with he new changes coming into to the legal profession.

I cannot believe that i have been in London for nearly 5 years now. time has flown and the experience has been hard but good. i feel as if i've aged 10 years. came when i was 24 and feel 34 rather than 28. but i'm definitely more relaxed then i was 4 years and 8 months ago.

4 years and 8 month and i've survived! bring on the next year then. i can't believe i'm saying that.

A million and one

Why do a million and one things all happen together?

That is the question of the day! What a week and i've still got a ton of things to do over the weekend. Things might finally be resolved at work, might is the word, but it least it will be closure for me. Well maybe, that's what I said a month and a half a go and still not happy. Let's see what the boss man says next week.

What a week, what a week! Good day today, but tired. Need sleep and wake up late tomorrow, late meaning 9am, not 6.20am. Although I am surprised that i'm used to it now. Things are better as well, that's why I can get up i guess.

I'm off to watch Jonathan Ross.

2 weeks in.....it's ok

Yeah, the buzz has gone. The work is back on and i'm already bored again! Again meaning that after 6 months or so in a job I am no longer challenged by the work i'm doing and i get bored out of my brains. I'm not one of those people that can just coast through life. I need challenges and demanding work to keep me interested and on my toes. I guess that's why I choose litigation in the first place. Each case is individual and although precedents are there to be used you always need to adapt them to facts of the case and the solution you want to achieve.

But it's not all bad news.

I've heard on the grapevine that the firm has signed up a new contract last week, so hopefully the work will start pouring in, sooner rather than later for my benefit but it all shows signs that maybe the steps that 'they' have taken we the right ones.

11 May 2009

A fresh start is what today represented. The atmosphere pleasant, welcoming and most importantly a team leader who is approchable. Someone can learn a lot from him. But hey, did she ever want to learn in the first place?
But anyhow, enough about her, lets turn back to me.

I feel great and ready for the rest of the year ahead.

My life began at twenty-eight.

My name is Sophie Khan and I am a solicitor living in London and working for a national law firm. I have lived in London for four and half years and although I have had my ups and downs over the years I now feel that at twenty-eight years old my life is finally coming together and I can begin living the life that I have studied and worked so hard to establish.

Why at twenty-eight? I don't know. But what I do know is that things make more sense now and I don't feel as if I need to continue to try to get there anymore. I feel as if I am there now! It sort of just happened a couple of weeks ago. The firm had to restructure due to the current economic situation and part of the restructuring involved me moving to a new department and a new team which fortunately for me has a fantastic team leader who genuinely cares about the team. This on the back of seven months of hell from my previous team leader who I and others agree has some kind of undiagnosed mental disorder or who is so thick that she just does not understand how to behave in an appropriate and professional manner. The latter of the two is my first choice as from experience I can confirm that she is the thickest person I have ever meet in my professional life.

Anyway, she is history as my father puts it and a new dawn has arrived for me and my future which has automatically taken the burden off my shoulders and I feel free to do everything else that I have always wanted to do. Writing is one of them, learning Arabic fluently, travelling more and taking a more active part in campaigning for human rights and other causes that I support.

My outlook on life is more positive as well and I feel that the stress that I went through was for something and that I have not wasted my life as I had kept telling myself and my parents who always said this moment would come. Of course I didn't believe them but they were right and when the moment came everything seemed to change. I am no longer waiting for what is round the corner as I've passed that and can now see a clear road ahead of me.